Note: This story is a live file and will be updated as new information arrives. This story was last updated at 4:45 p.m. Wednesday.
Staff members from The Reminder have evacuated Flin Flon, but will keep writing updates as long as possible during the emergency. If you have questions or concerns you would like us to chase or add here about the fire, evacuations or anything else, please notify us at [email protected].
Anyone seeking to register with the Red Cross or to donate to their campaign can do so at https://www.redcross.ca/2025manitobawildfires or 1-800-863-6582.
Four fires that have burned around the north have joined together, but fire crews have been able to keep things at bay, including in Creighton and Flin Flon.
Four fires that have affected northern Manitoba and Saskatchewan - the Wolf fire and Pelican fires in northern Saskatchewan, the WE017 fire near Sherridon and the Club/WE024 fire in both provinces - have combined, forming a massive complex burning from Pelican Narrows to Sherridon. A fifth fire, the WE025 fire near Pukatawagan, may also grow to join the fray.
The combined fire, now over 458,000 hectares in size according to Natural Resources Canada, is still considered "out of control" and continues to grow on several fronts, especially on the Saskatchewan side, but Flin Flon, Creighton and other communities appear to be keeping it at bay. Between the new four-part fire, the Pisew fire near La Ronge and the Camp fire along the Hanson Lake Road, over a million hectares of northern area has been burned in just the last few weeks.
According to an update from the City of Flin Flon issued Wednesday morning, between 200 and 250 people are in the area around Flin Flon and Creighton to fight the blaze.
"At this time, Flin Flon has not seen any structural fires, and as of 11:30pm, Creighton has not either," reads the update.
"The crews held the line today, did a great job in tough conditions… just mopping up for the night shift teams now," read an update from the Town of Creighton late June 3.
The fire has crossed part of Highway 10 near the Flin Flon Airport, but the airport itself is still safe as of Wednesday afternoon. Staff have been sent home, but the area still remains a main staging ground for fighting the blaze. It is still unknown when it will be safe to return to the area, with the City of Flin Flon warning locals that the firefighting effort could be a long haul. Value protection is starting to be placed at areas around Bakers Narrows and Schist Lake.
"Equipment has been deployed to protect the airport and structures at Bakers Narrows. Although airport staff have been evacuated, no structures have been lost and the airport remains secure and operational for emergency aircraft, thanks to the help of trained emergency staff," reads the City update.
"It is not safe for residents to return to Flin Flon at this time. Evacuees should prepare for the possibility that it will be some time until the situation has stabilized to the point that returning is safe. We understand that this is an incredibly challenging time for everyone who has had to leave their homes and our priority is first the preservation of life, then the preservation of property."
Most recent hotspots reported with the blaze show it continues growing south of Flin Flon and Creighton, including over much of the area between Creighton and Denare Beach. The fire has burned southeast through the area toward Lake Athapapuskow, putting several more isolated cabin areas and Camp Whitney potentially at risk. Part of the fire is also growing southward between Amisk Lake and Lake Athapapuskow. Other possible areas of growth include into Grass River Provincial Park to the southeast, along Mirond Lake and near Jan Lake to the northwest and near the southwest shore of Amisk Lake.
Weather in the region has been volatile through the firefight, but it appears the forecast is calming down. Environment Canada forecasts now show slower winds and cold overnight lows, as low as five degrees Wednesday overnight. The forecast also now calls for rain on both Saturday and Sunday, with daytime highs in the high teens.
Electricity was cut off for the area either late Tuesday night or early Wednesday morning - while the juice remains off in Denare Beach as of Wednesday afternoon, power has been restored to both Creighton and nearby Tyrrell Lake.
Denare Beach
The fire has blown away from Denare Beach, but the damage has been done - dozens of homes have been levelled in the community, as shown in video footage of the area shot Tuesday and obtained by The Reminder.
The Northern Village of Denare Beach estimated Tuesday that what was then called the Wolf fire ripped through town, burning most homes between Ninth Avenue and the Amisk Lake reserve. Some homes on the reserve were also destroyed, though several are still standing today - so is the cluster of local services on Wigwam Drive, including the village hall, fire hall and DenarePlex.
"On behalf of the Village of Denare Beach, we wish to acknowledge that our residents have been exposed to unimaginable property losses," reads a statement issued by local leadership, including Village staff, councillors and Mayor Carl Lentowicz.
The number of properties affected by the firestorm that swept through the area Monday is still not known - the Village itself does not have full numbers and won't have them until it is safe to return to the area. No injuries or casualties are believed to have taken place during the fire's sweep through the village.
To this point, we are only somewhat aware of the intensity to our community. The property losses cannot be accurately accounted and may be subject to change from any continued wildfire," reads the statement.
"To our community members, please accept the Mayor and council's concerns and condolences for your disruptions and losses at this time. To all the firefighters, Big Ice, volunteers and others who have been assisting our community or Creighton and Flin Flon in the current fire management process, thank you very much. Win, lose or draw, you have made a valiant effort."
First Nations leadership are already leading calls to rebuild communities affected in the fires, including Denare Beach. The federal government announced Tuesday that they will dollar-for-dollar match donations made to the Red Cross for evacuees and aid in both Manitoba and Saskatchewan - Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations vice-chief David Pratt called also for assistance in rebuilding the affected communities.
"We need commitments to rebuild the homes that have been lost in Hall Lake, Sucker River and Denare Beach and desperately needed supports in the meantime," he tweeted out Tuesday night.
The Manitoba government has also pledged to match all donations made to assist wildfire evacuees - Hudbay announced June 3 that it would do the same, but only for donations made by its employees.
La Ronge
Firefighting efforts have intensified around La Ronge, where two businesses burned to cinders Tuesday.
A pair of buildings in the community, the La Ronge RONA and Robertson Trading, both burned Tuesday evening as the Pisew fire gets closer. While it closed in late 2023, Robertson Trading was a cultural institution in the area, showing the region's history - dozens of priceless artifacts of the Lac La Ronge Indian Band such as handicrafts, photos and personal items burned inside.
The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) has the Pisew fire still listed as "out of control" - Natural Resources Canada estimates it has burned about 130,000 hectares of area, including much of the area near La Ronge's airport. No other reports of structure damage have been confirmed as of Wednesday afternoon.
Snow Lake
The list of northern communities that have evacuated grew by one Tuesday as Snow Lake issued a voluntary evacuation order. The community is not currently in danger from any nearby fire - the combined Pelican Narrows-Creighton-Flin Flon-Sherridon fire is, as of Wednesday afternoon, at least 30 kilometres away - but concerns with smoke and fire-related road closures led to the call being made.
While Snow Lake is not under a mandatory evacuation, many locals hit the road anyway - few people are still in the area. Hudbay has ordered a temporary suspension of its projects in the area, including Lalor mine, as a result of the evacuation. Some of its employees will stay in the area to handle necessary tasks, but most are able to evacuate if needed.
Both Grass River Provincial Park and Wekusko Falls Provincial Park have been closed due to fire concerns - entry to either is currently not allowed and campers at the campgrounds have been asked to leave.
"Hudbay has enacted its emergency preparedness procedures and enabled a controlled, safe and orderly temporary suspension of operations in Snow Lake. This proactive measure positions Hudbay well for a safe return to full operations once conditions permit," reads its latest statement, issued Wednesday.
"Only essential Hudbay personnel, authorized by emergency services, will remain in Snow Lake to assist with emergency activities. The Company believes its infrastructure and facilities in Snow Lake and Flin Flon are well-protected from the wildfires and have a low risk of being damaged."
The company has also announced a gift program where Hudbay will double amounts donated by its employees to various aid campaigns, including the Red Cross. Hudbay is also pledging to donate $1 million in relief payments for employees who have had to leave the region - the money is slated to be sent out to affected workers later this month.
This week's issue of The Reminder is both online-only and free - you can read it in its entirety here.
